Cultural Incubator Program

Since its inception in the fall of 2022, the Mansfield Cultural Incubator Program has played a pivotal role in fostering business expansion within the arts sector by providing local cultural arts organizations and Artists with access to low-cost venues and administrative and marketing support. This program has enabled recurring public programming at the Farr Best Theater, special events, and creative activations in other city-owned spaces.

Key impacts of the program include:

  • Transforming underutilized facilities into vibrant community hubs, enhancing the cultural infrastructure, and providing spaces for diverse artistic expression.
  • Delivering a wide array of weekly shows, classes, and events, driving engagement among residents in underutilized spaces, and expanding cultural offerings.
  • Lowering facility programming and staffing costs, enabling the production of a higher volume of community events at a fraction of the operational costs typically required.
  • Offering in-kind support to small arts and culture businesses, helping them establish and grow their businesses within the community while contributing to the local economy.
  • Cultivating a diverse and collaborative creative ecosystem, which encourages innovation and cross-sector partnerships.

Program Achievements by the Numbers:

  • 140% increase in space utilization at the Farr Best Theater, optimizing resource allocation and expanding performance opportunities.
  • 400% growth in arts patrons in the first two seasons, underscoring the program’s ability to attract and retain a larger audience base.
  • 180 events annually at the Farr Best Theater, solidifying it as a cultural hub and driving increased activity in the downtown area.
  • 25 outdoor events each year, creating additional platforms for artistic expression and public engagement.
  • Over 3,300 patrons served annually at the Farr Best, with thousands more impacted city-wide through various arts and culture initiatives.
  • Events at the Farr Best generated over $70,000 in ticket sales, with an additional $130,000 in event-related spending contributing to the local economy during the 2022-2023 season, as calculated by the American for the Arts' Arts and Economic Prosperity Study VI.
  • Visual arts partners hosted more than 30 exhibits across the city, supporting 40 artists and generating substantial revenue for their businesses.

The Mansfield Cultural Incubator Program has successfully expanded the city’s arts sector, driving economic growth while fostering a supportive environment for arts-based businesses to thrive.

You may be eligible to become a cultural incubator partner if you meet the following criteria:

  • You/your organization is involved in the arts or culture field (such as performing arts, visual arts, heritage organizations, or another creative sector).
  • You are seeking a facility to produce recurring public programming, with a commitment to hosting at least three events per year.
  • You are willing to collaborate and share space and resources with the city and a collective of other creatives.

For more details, including the application process, policies, and partnership agreement, check out our Cultural Incubator Application. Cultural Incubator applications may be considered at any time, space permitting.